Moinuddin Chishti – Garib Nawaz – Ajmer Sharif

Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti

Hazrat Khawaja Moeen-ud-Din Hasan Chishti

BIRTH : EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Khwaja Moinuddin Chisthy (R.A.) was born in Seistan (East Persia) also known as Sejistan, around 537 Hijri (1135-39 a.d.) in a respected family. His father Khwaja Ghayasuddin (R.A.) and mother Syeda Bibi Ummalwara allas Bibi Mahe-Noor were the descendants of Hazrat Ali (K.A.W.) through his sons Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain Khwaja Saheb lost both his father and mother at an early age of sixteen years. He inherited an orchard and a wind mill which serve his means of livelihood. One day when Khwaja Saheb was working in his orchard, a pious dervish and majzoob. Ebrahim Qandoozi, came and took his seat under shade of a tree. When Khwaja Saheb saw him, he brought a bunch of grapes and presented it to his guest. The visitor ate those grapes and was delighted, and took something out of his bag, chewed it and then offered it to his young host. Khwaja Saheb ate it without any hesitation and at once the light of wisdom and knowledge dawned upon the young Khwaja. Thereafter he disposed of all his worldly belongings and distributed the money amongst the poor. Having thus broken all the ties with worldly affairs, he started for Samarqand and Bukhara, which were the great centres of learning, for acquiring Islamic education and Knowledge.

SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE

When Khwaja Saheb had acquired the best knowledge and wisdom of the time, he traveled widely in search of a pir (Spiritual guide guide) who could provide him the best spiritual guidance. He came to know of Hazrat Khwaja Usman Haruni (R.A.) who was the greatest scholar and unrivalled spiritual guide of that period. In the very first meeting Khwaja Saheb completely submitted himself to his Murshid and remained in the company of this great divine spiritual leader for twenty years and served him devotedly, passing through the various stages of the spiritual life. Thus the great Murshid trained and elevated Khwaja Saheb to the highest spiritual attainments.

HAJ AND PROPHET’S COMMAND

As the great Khwaja became accomplished and perfect in every respect, the divine tutor honoured him with his robe and took him to Haj. Both, then proceeded to Makkah and performed the Haj, and then went to Madina and stayed there for some time, to get the blessings of the prophet of Islam Hazrat Mohammad (S.A.W.S.).

One nigh in a trance, he was ordered by the Holy prophet (S.A.W.)

“O Moinuddin you are a prop of our faith. Proceed to India and show the path of truth to the people there”. In compliance with the above spiritual command. Khwaja Saheb lefet Madina for India. He continued his journey, passing through Isphahan, Bukhara, Heart, Lahore and Delhi meeting several prominent Sufis of the period. He arrived at the barren and desolated land of Rajputana which is now known as Rajasthan. On his way to INDIA, he enrolled large number of people in his fold and blessed thousands of others with spiritual power.

GARIB NAWAZ

Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisthy arrived in Ajmer at the age of 52 years sround 587 A.H./1190 A.D. on his divine mission, unique in the annals of Islam. His only armour for the success of his great mission was the greatest “invisible power” that pervades and sustains the whole universe. At that time Ajmer was ruled by Prithivi Raj Chauhan the famous Rajput king. In his court, he had a large number of powerful magicians with Ajai Pal as their leader. Khwaja Saheb stayed at a hill close to Ana Sagar lake. It is now known as the Chilla Khwaja Saheb. When news spread, that a very pious Dervesh had come to Ajmer, people began to flock to him in increasing number. Whosoever came to him, received the kindest treatment and blessings. People were so much inspired by his divine teaching and simplicity that they began to embrace Islam. Many became his disciples. Even Ajai Pal submitted himself to the divine powers of Khwaja Saheb gave up all his magic and became his disciple.

While this was going on at Ajmer. Shahabuddin Ghori againt attacked India. In 1192 A.D. and in the famous battle of Tarain defeated Prithivi Raj. When Shahabudding Ghori came to know of the presence of Khwaja Saheb at Ajmer, he personally came to see him at his place and enjoyed the grace of his meeting.

Khwaja Saheb continued his noble and magnificent mission, showing the part of truth to the people. He sent his disciples and successor to different parts of country who too served the people and preached the tenets of Islam. Some of his prominent successor are:

After achieving the objectives of his mission and complying with the command given to him by the Holy prophet, his noble soul left the corporeal body on the 6th of Rajab 633 R.A. / 16th March 1236 at the age of 97. He was buried in the same cell (Hujra) which was the centre of his divine activities, throughout his stay at Ajmer. Today his Shrine is popularly known as “Dargah Sharif of Gharib Nawaz (R.A.) Ajmer.” People of all walks of life and faith from all over the world, irrespective of their esteem and devotion. The rich and the poor stand side by side to pay their homage and respect to the divine soul.